Seattle proved to be a pleasant and interesting site for our Mid Winter Meeting of 2007 and the immediate downtown area possessed amenities that rival or surpass the “miracle mile” in Chicago. Although a few outlying hotels represented a “hike” or taxi ride, most of the activity around the Convention and Trade Center represented no more than a brisk walk from most of the major hotels. Nor did the January weather constitute a problem for visitors. It was anything but frigid. The total registration affirmed the popularity of Seattle as a venue for Mid Winter. It had reached 12,196 by Monday, January 22 – well ahead of the 11,084 recorded for Mid Winter 2006 in San Antonio, but much lower than the 13,232 for Mid Winter 2005 in Boston. The close proximity of Boston to cities like New York, Newark and Philadelphia undoubtedly had an impact on attendance.

Oak Lawn Public Library Trustee Marian Sullivan enjoyed a productive session involving Association for Library Trustees and Advocates (ALTA) committees and programs. My wife Diane Dates Casey began her second year as Division Councilor for the Association for Library Collections and Technical Services (ALCTS) and reported to the entire Council on the work of the Policy Monitoring. Committee. I began the last year of my third term (and tenth year) as a Member At-Large of ALA Council.

FORUM ON EDUCATION FOR LIBRARIANSIP: As was the case at the 2006 ALA Mid Winter Meeting, this session included a panel of distinguished Library Science educators and some of the most influential leaders of ALA. President Leslie Burger, President-Elect Loriene Roy and Past President, Michael Gorman were among those who spoke along with the panel and accentuated the importance of this issue to ALA and to the future of the Library profession. The lectures and discussions proved to be a worthy follow-up to the initial forum on Library Education held in San Antonio under the leadership of President Michael Gorman. Although all of the speakers presented articulate and thoughtful remarks, several concepts were strongly enunciated. John Budd of the School of Information Science & Learning Technologies at U. of Missouri-Columbia said of the components necessary for education in Librarianship “Knowledge, Skills and Values: they are one.” Dr. Loriene Roy emphasized the value of field experience as a component in education for librarianship and urged a stronger collaboration between library practitioners and educators in the MLS curriculum. President Leslie Burger indicated that she plans to appoint a task force of practitioners, educators and students to pull ideas together and present findings. The Forum Blog is at: http://blogs.ala.org/libraryeducation.php

ALAWO (ALA Washington Office) UPDATE: The ALA Washington Office presented a review of issues facing the Library community as the new 110th Congress begins ( http://www.ala.org/washoff ). Lobbyist D’Arcy Philips observed that the power structure in Congress has changed dramatically with new committee chairs, aides and agendas. The rapid pace of the 100 hours of legislation passed under the new Speaker, Nancy Pelosi, was fueled by considerable bi-partisan cooperation, but the tempo is likely to be slowed both by the more deliberative process of the Senate and also by possible Presidential vetoes. According to Philips, this period bi-partisan cooperation is likely to continue until Fall 2007, at which time the 2008 presidential race will begin to dominate the landscape. The 2008 election could also be crucial for the Senate as 22 Republican and 12 Democrat incumbents face re-election. He indicated that the period of bi-partisan agreement during the next ten months on such issues as education could represent opportunities for legislation and funding favorable to libraries. Library advocates should continue to cultivate alliances on “both sides of the aisle” since some of the best friends of Libraries have proven to be Republicans (he cited Rep. Regula as an example). Despite the opportunities during 2007, the Federal Budget deficit is very serious and represents a “very bleak picture” 10 and 20 years into the future. --- R. David Lankes of Syracuse University presented a vision of “Participatory Networks: The Library as Conversation” ( http://iis.syr.edu/projects/PNOpen/ ). He views the “Participatory Library” as a facilitator of conversation and also an organization that can “hold the content” of that conversation and continually expand the discussion of issues facing our communities. Libraries are in the “knowledge business” and knowledge is created through conversation. The electronic “participatory networks” that have grown in number and variety over the years are sometimes denoted by the term “Web 2.0” and can inspire a “Library 2.0” uture. --- Paula Bruening (ALA Consultant) discussed the state of privacy issues in the new Congress and expressed encouragement that a new set of “checks and balances” were likely to make the task of library advocates less difficult, but not herald a roll back of such initiatives as DOPA (Deleting Online Predators Act) and CIPA (Children’s Internet Protection Act). Emphasis on identity management and overseeing internet records for illegal activity (including child pornography) will likely continue. ---- Mike Flynn (Director of the Office of Information Analysis and Access of Environmental Information) discussed the recent closure of several EPA (Environmental Protection Act) libraries and was subjected to some fairly intense questioning. He emphasized that the EPA network of some 26 libraries was in the process of digitizing much of its content and shifting away from “walk-in” service. The thrust of his remarks was that the EPA libraries are not all going to be closed and are just in a period of transition. Many in the audience expressed skepticism in their questioning of the motives for not providing access to certain records and removal of long time EPA staffers. The discussion continued into BREAKOUT SESSION II under the apt heading of “Hot Topics”. Questioners periodically thanked Flynn and members of his staff for being present to “take the heat.”

ENCORE DEMONSTRATION: A demonstration of Innovative’s (Innovative Interfaces http://www.iii.com/ ) new Encore product revealed how the company and its “development partners” are striving to streamline and enhance the process by which patrons search for information. In fact, Encore is described as a “discovery tool” rather than a search tool. Patrons simply enter any search terms they wish into a basic field (without developing a search with author, title or key word) and are automatically provided with suggestions for narrowing the search by facet and tag. This was described as a means of transforming the user experience. I was impressed by both the presentation and the overall concept. The product is not even in a “beta” mode yet, but is planned for release before the end of 2007.

ARTHUR CURLEY MEMORIAL LECTURE: Veteran journalist, author and senior writer for Time magazine Joe Klein spoke for more than one hour to a “standing room only” gathering of several hundred attendees. His topic was “Islam, Iraq and the War on Terror,” but much of the focus of his remarks reflected on the lack of substantive content in political discourse in our own country during the past 30 years. This has resulted in a political climate where controlling “spin” and “news cycles” is given greater attention by national leaders than the seeking of accurate information and solving of problems. To his acknowledgment that the press deserves a share of blame for the Iraq disaster, there was fairly wide applause. Klein also remarked how libraries influenced his own life and have had an important continuing role in helping communities to bridge cultural and religious divides. Klein, the author of the best selling novel Primary Colors, remarked of the 2008 presidential race that he would be hoping to find candidates who were not afraid to tell voters what they might not want to hear --- about unpleasant realities and sacrifices that may be needed.

COUNCIL I: Among the highlights of this first group of informational sessions for Councilors was a very positive budget assessment by Patty Wong (Chair of BARC – Budge Analysis and Review Committee). Total revenue for the Association proved to be almost $1 million over budget projections with a budgetary ceiling of $56,540,976 for fiscal year 2007. The Endowment Fund report presented by Chair Robert Newlen was equally impressive with a gain from a market value of $25,454,000 in 2005 to $29,028,000 in 2006. Although the Socially Responsible Investment fund (Ariel Capital Appreciation) lagged somewhat behind the benchmark standards, the Fund Managers appear to be committed to maintaining that investment option and thereby addressing the legitimate concerns of many members. --- The ALA elections for 2007 will take place from March 15 to April 24 with final returns expected on May 1.

PRESIDENT’S PROGRAM: Deena Ebbert, a motivational speaker, presented her FISH! Philosophy to hundreds of attendees. With enhanced customer service as the ultimate objective, the “Fish! Philosophy” consists of four steps:
1/ Be There, 2/ Play, 3/ Make someone’s day, and 4/ Choose your attitude and how you come to work. Seattle’s Pike’s Place fishmonger shop provided the inspiration for this concept – where a grueling workplace can become a positive environment for employees and customers alike. (I visited the fish market on Pike Street and witnessed some of the ostensible “team spirit”.)

SEATTLE’S MAIN PUBLIC LIBRARY FACILITY: I must confess to being less than impressed with the “glass pyramid” of Seattle’s main public library facility.
The architecturally impressive edifice did not necessarily lead to the most “user friendly” spaces within a building.

ALA-APA COUNCIL: A nonbinding (of course) resolution on the endorsement of a minimum salary of $40,000 for professional librarians” was passed unanimously at this session. Despite the hard work of Jenifer L. Grady and some others in ALA, the budgetary deficit of $39,552 for FY 2006 drove the “ending net assets” of APA from a negative $195,492 to a negative $235,044. Those of us who hope that the ALA-APA will survive were pleased to learn that the overall income of the APA was 68% higher than the previous year and that the repayment of the initial loan of $250,000 loan from ALA will begin in FY 2009.
It is hoped that the ALA-APA will turn the corner and become self sustaining within the next few years. However, in the Treasurer’s Report for ALA-APA delivered to Council on January 21, two of the weaknesses noted about the ALA-APA was “low awareness among ALA members” and “confusion about relationship with ALA”.

COUNCIL II: As spokesperson for the Policy Monitoring Committee, Diane Dates Casey (ALCTS Councilor) presented several changes in the Association Bylaws to conform to past actions by Council. These were passed unanimously.
The Budget Analysis and Review Committee (BARC) was granted an extension of six months to study the ramifications of establishing a graduated dues structure for ALA (a dues structure similar to that with Illinois Library Association requiring members earning more to pay higher dues). – The ALA Treasurer’s Report and Programmatic Priorities were presented with much clarity and skill by Treasurer Teri Switzer. ALA is building a very solid reserve and the growth in revenue has been on the upswing. Annual dues revenue has increased from about $5 million in 1995 to $8 million in 2006. During the 26 years from 1980 to 2006, the total net asset balance for ALA has grown from $4,728,000 to $30,812,000. Total membership in ALA has risen from 35,433 in 1980 to 64,689 in 2006. – John W. Berry highlighted the many important actions of the Freedom to Read Foundation over the past year to protect privacy rights and intellectual freedom. He urged continued support of the Foundation (http://www.ftrf.org with an on-line donation form) or call 1-800-545-2433, ext. 4226. --- Three resolutions were brought forward and debated for nearly two hours. Two of them were defeated by a very large majority vote of Council: “Resolution to Advocate Ending Funding for the Iraq War” and “Resolution on Impeachment of President George W. Bush”. A third Resolution called for ALA to “suspend all affiliation with the Boy Scouts of America National Council until such time as the Boy Scouts of America ends its exclusionary policy on the basis of a person’s religious beliefs or sexual orientation…” Gays and atheists are currently prevented from joining BSA. This resolution was referred to ALSC (Association for Library Service to Children) for clarification on that division’s position on this issue. --- There was much sentiment on the part of Councilors during this session to reject resolutions that were not precisely related to Library issues --- intellectual freedom, privacy rights, funding for libraries, preventing access to information, etc… The tendency of some on Council (particularly from the Social Responsibilities Round Table) to involve Council in broader social and political agendas was met with strong resistance.

COUNCIL FORUM: A lively discussion involving about 75 members of Council discussed two pending resolutions. One concerned establishing requirements for Libraries (especially those outsourcing web site development) to insure handicapped accessibility to sites and digital collections. The other resolution called for broader access to library services for all patrons (including immigrants). Helpful questioning and suggestions in forums like this tend to strengthen the resolutions.

COUNCIL III: At the start of this session, Michael Gorman was honored by the California Library Association and by the Council for his long service to the profession and congratulated upon his recent retirement. Veteran Councilors Larry Romans and Charles E. Kratz, Jr. were elected from among a slate of six candidates to serve for a three year term (2007-2010) on the Executive Board of ALA. -- The Committee on Organization (COO) included a preliminary report from the Subcommittee on E-Participation exploring the possibilities and implications of full electronic participation on committees and decision making bodies. An E-Participation Task Force being chaired by Jim Rettig will strive to prepare a draft report to be shared with Council at Annual Conference in Washington (June 2007). As a member of the Subcommittee, I am pleased that the Council is giving very serious consideration to using current technology to broaden opportunities for member participation. --- Committee on Legislation introduced several “action items” to Council: A resolution passed encouraging Congress to “amend the Copyright Act to facilitate the use of ‘orphan works’ if the user has made a reasonably diligent, good faith search to locate the owner of the work, but was unable to find the owner.” Also passed was a Resolution in Support of Immigrant Rights: “Resolved, that ALA strongly supports the protection of each person’s civil liberties regardless of that individual’s nationality, residency, or status; and be it further resolved that ALA opposes any legislation that infringes on the rights of anyone in the USA (citizens or otherwise) to use library resources on national, state, and local levels.” Approved was a “Resolution Affirming the Role of Libraries in Providing E-Government and Emergency Services.” [A resolution empowering the Executive Director to make grammatical and punctuation corrections on resolutions was passed unanimously.] --- The International Relations Committee presented an action item calling for the appointment of an ALA representative to serve on the U.S. Committee of the Blue Shield (USCBS). Council passed this measure. The USCBS was established in January 2006 with the mission of urging the protection of cultural property during armed conflict. ---- “Accessible Digitization Projects Resolution” was brought before Council “that the ALA strongly encourages all libraries engaging in digitization projects to create versions of all materials that are accessible to persons using screen-reader or other assistive technologies, based on Section 508.” [Council favored the spirit behind this resolution. However, it was referred to the ASCLA for clarification and more specific direction for Council at ALA Annual. ASCLA = Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies.]

Copies of the final wording of all resolutions an action items from Council Sessions will be posted and available on the ALA Web Site http://www.ala.org in several weeks.

CONCLUSION: Seattle proved to be an extremely pleasant site for our Mid Winter Meeting. The convenience and mild weather were especially welcome. Temperatures ranged around 50 degrees. Although Council business moved along as efficiently as possible under the skillful guidance of President Leslie Burger and Parliamentarian Eli Mina, it was unfortunate that more Council resolutions were not aired weeks and months prior to Mid Winter over the Council List. There were several instances where Councilors hadn’t been appraised of certain measures that required their vote more than a few minutes or hours before the event. While it is clear that most of the Councilors and Members share fundamental agreement on most issues, they clearly do not share the same sense of what is appropriate for Council deliberation and how such issues should be framed. Vigorous use of the Council List to test and refine issues long before Councilors convene in session is the best way to secure consensus.

My sincerest thanks also go to the Oak Lawn Public Library, the Board and Taxpayers for supporting my participation in ALA.